Jefferson, Thomas, Third President, as a delegate to Congress

Autograph letter, signed with initials in heading ("Th: J. to Mr Short") in lieu of salutation and closing, 1 1/2 pages (9 1/8 x 7 1/4 in.; 232 x 185 mm) on a single leaf, Annapolis, 1 March 1784, to William Short, partially written in numerical code, a few words in interlinear decoding by the recipient, docketed at the foot of the second page by Short: "This letter was found among some old papers at my sister Wilkins's in Kentucky in the summer 1803"; a few short fold separations, a bit of marginal ink corrosion, large mounting remnant to blank lower half of second page.

The Elsie O. and Philip D. Sang Foundation (part 4, Sotheby's, 3 June 1980, lot 942)

The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, ed. Boyd, 6:569–70

Autograph letter, signed with initials in heading ("Th: J. to Mr Short") in lieu of salutation and closing, 1 1/2 pages (9 1/8 x 7 1/4 in.; 232 x 185 mm) on a single leaf, Annapolis, 1 March 1784, to William Short, partially written in numerical code, a few words in interlinear decoding by the recipient, docketed at the foot of the second page by Short: "This letter was found among some old papers at my sister Wilkins's in Kentucky in the summer 1803"; a few short fold separations, a bit of marginal ink corrosion, large mounting remnant to blank lower half of second page.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The earliest surviving letter from Jefferson's correspondence with Short, who was shortly to follow Jefferson to France as his private secretary and as a high-ranking American diplomat throughout Europe. "I am so sorry my letter found you so much indisposed, and still more so that it should have added to your sufferings. but you must learn to bear these these things by always calculating on the possibility of a cross as well as pyle and having a plan of reserve to turn to by way of comfort. I can yet add nothing more on the subject. nine states appeared on the floor to-day. but eight of them are represented by two members only, so that in every important question, as not only an unanimity of states, but an unanimity of members also will be requisite to carry propositions, we must expect to carry none, & that our time will be spent in proposing regulations, hearing one another a week on each, put them to the vote, and see them fall because one or two or more members are against them. we shall immediately try what we can do with the Western country (the deed for which was executed & accepted this day), the foreign arrangement, peace establishment etc. I see no reason yet to doubt the opinion I formerly gave you that there would be no {Ministers} kept {abroad}. you ask an explanation of the aenigma of the book appendix, & index. for fear you should understand the cypher, or catch its key I added that aenigmatical paragraph in hopes it might explain a subject to you who had some hint of it & not to any other who had not. to cure the fever it gave you however I will now observe that the book was a {minister} the appendix a {secretary to the embassy} and the index a {secretary to the minister}. there will certainly be no {appendix} and I question if there be a {book}. of course there can be no {Index} to it. if there be no {appendix} would {you} be the {Index} to the {book} supposing there should be one. however, I still think a {consul} or a {resident} on a {low salary} will be the {highest grade}. not a word has ever dropt yet from {Monro[e]}.

"I thank you for your attentions to P. Carr. I approve of Liberty hall because you do, without knowing what or where it is. will you inform me on this head? not that I would detain Peter, for I hope you have sent him there, but that I may to him, to the master or manager whichever is most proper. having to my habitual ill health, had lately added an attack of my periodical headach, I am obliged to avoid reading, writing & almost thinking. you will excuse me therefore for closing here with an affectionate adieu!

"P.S. I wrote by post Dec. 11 to Mr. Mazzei. knowing that my letter of that date got safe to Richmond I wonder at having received no answer. will you be so good as to find out & inform me whether my letter came to his hands?"